Apparatus for supplying water to occupants of buildings.



' Patnted Nov. 27, I900.

J. H. VAIL.- APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING WATER TU'OCCUPANTS 0F BUJLDIN GS.

(Application filed Feb. 24. 1900.)

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No. 662,632. Patented Nov. 27, I900.

J. H. VAIL.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPL'YING WATER T0 OCGUPANTS 0F BUILDINGS.

(Application filed Feb. 24, 1900.)

(Ho Ilodel.) 2 Sheets-Shaet 2.

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arena l0 APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYlNG WATER TO OCCUPANTS 0F BUILDINGS.

SEEGIFIGATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 662,632, dated November27, 1900.

Application filed February 24, 1900. Serial No. 6,844. No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JONATHAN I-I. VAIL, a. citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inApparatus for Supplying Water to Occupants of Buildings, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention aims to provide an apparatus through the operation of whichwater at a predetermined temperature and ate. predetermined pressurewill be supplied to all the fancets throughout a building in which itmay be installed.

To such end my improvements comprehend the provision of" waterinstallation system for a building in communication with a source ofwater supply, and provided with mechanical means through the operationof which the water supplied to said system will be repeatedly circulatedtherethrough; it further comprehends the provision of means by whichwater is automatically supplied to the pipes composing the installationsystem and to replace water drawn olif by the occupants of the building;it also comprehends the provision of a refrigerating agent or devicewithin or under the influence of which the circulated water passes; theresult of the foregoing arrangement being that Water is supplied to theoccupants of a building in which the system is installed at a uniformpressure and at a uniform low temperature.

In the accompanying drawings I show, and herein 1 describe, a good formof a convenient embodiment of my invention, the particularsubject-matter claimed as novel being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a partly diagrammatic view illustrative of the several partsincluded in the preferred embodiment of my invention, illustrative oftheir general relationship to each other and their connection, ratherthan of their precise construction.

Figure 2 is a vertical central sectional elevation of a form of pressure controlled valve regulating device I prefer to employ.

Figure 3 is a vertical central section of a valve showing in connectiontherewith an elecirically operated valve controlling device.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A water supply pipe 1, which is in communication with a city main orother source, is in circuit, first, with a boiler 2; second, with afilter 3; and, third, with a storage tank 4.

The boiler is conveniently provided with a steam coil supplied withsteam from any suitable source. Said boiler is also convenientlyprovided with a dished bottom for the reception of sediment, which maybe periodically removed through a hand hole formed in said bottom.Preferably two filters 3, counterparts of each other, are employed, toand from which lead suitable branches of the water supply pipe. Thefilters may be contemporaneously active, or they may be employed inalternation, so that one may be cleaned or repaired at a time withoutinterrupting the operation of the apparatus as a whole.

In Figure 1 are shown a series of pipes connected together in anypreferred manner, form, and duplication, according to the requirementsand dimensions of the building in which the apparatus is installed.

The entire series of pipes preferably constitute a complete system ofuninterrupted continuity, so that water is free to circulate throughevery part thereof.

The circulation pipe system in what I consider its best form, and'thatin which I prefor to employ it, will consist of What may be termed mainpipes typically represented in Figure l by the vertically disposed lines5 assu med to be pipes of considerable diameter, and branch or crosspipes, as I term them, extending from one of the main pipes to theother, and of very much less cross sectional area, the arrangementpreferably being one in which the aggregate sectional area of the branchor cross pipes equals that of one of the main pipes.

Each of the branch or cross pipes illustrated in Figure 1 as connectiveof the two main pipes,-typifies or represents the water supply for anentire floor, of which floors six are supposed to exist in the buildingin which an apparatus of the form shown in Figure 1, and which has sixbranch or cross pipes, may be installed.

Each branch pipe supplying a given floor will have the requisite numberof branches, supply faucets, or fittings, according to the requirementsof the occupants of the floor.

In the preferred arrangement of my invention, furthermore, wherever afaucet is to be placed, a loop is formed, constituting a continuation ofthe pipe which supplies said faucet, through or along which loop thewater constantly circulates.

When, then, a faucet is turned on, the water Withdrawn therefrom is partof the mass of water contained in the circulating pipe system, andisconsequently at the same predetermined low temperature as the rest ofthe water in the pipes.

This arrangement is to be distinguished from one in which the faucet islocated at the free end of a branch pipe, and in which branch pipe, insaid last named and usual construction, the water stands indefinitely,so that when withdrawn it is of a heightened temperature and must beallowed to waste before Water of the desired lower temperature from amain pipe emerges from the faucet.

The aggregate area of the branch or cross pipes being equal to that ofone of the main pipes, the circulation throughout the circulating pipesystem is at a uniform rate; the supply drawn from the system at onefloor can never interfere with or lessen the supply desired on anotherfloor; and the precise diameters of the various pipes to be purchasedand installed can be calculated with precision.

Faucets and attachments of the usual kinds, including an air chamber 6,are to be applied to the system wherever required.

When, hereafter, in the specification and claims I refer generally tothe circulating pipes, reference is had to a closed system or series ofpipes disposed in the area in which the water is to be employed, andthrough which the water supplied thereto may ,repeatedly circulate,regardless of the form arrangement, and extent, of such pipes.

To secure the proper working of the parts all the pipes included in thecirculating pipe system are kept full of water.

7 is a coil mounted in the circulating pipe system, and inclosed in atank 8.

10 is a feed pipe connective of the storage tank and the circulatingpipes, intermediate of the length of which is a feed pump 9.

11 (see Figure 2) isa valve mounted in the feed pipe 10 between thestorage tank and the feed pump, and adapted to be operated by a pressureregulator 12, controlled by the pressure of the water in the circulatingpipes 5.

As shown in the drawings, (see Figure 2), the regulator consists of acasing supported over the pipe 10, and the hollowv interior of which isprovided with a diaphragm 13, the space beneath which diaphragmconstitutes a pressure chamber 1 1.

A connecting rod 15 connected to the diaphragm extends to the exteriorof the easing 12.

16 is a lever pivotally connected at its innerend to the casing 12, towhich lever the end of the rod 15 is also connected.

17 is a second lever pivotally supported beneath the regulator casing,connected as to one end to the stem of the valve 11 and as to its otherend connected to a link 18 which is in turn connected to the lever 16.

Through the levers 16, 17, and the link 18, the movement of thediaphragm and its rod is communicated to the valve.

19 is a pressure pipe leading from the circulating pipes 5 to thepressure chamber 14 in the casing 12. The water in the pressure chamber,and in said last mentioned pipe, will be at the same pressure as that inthe circulating pipes 5, and when said pressure is sufficient tooccasion a given elevation of the diaphragm, the movement of saiddiaphragm, communicated through the rod 15, the lever 16, the link 18,and the lever 17, will cause the seating of the valve, 11, and theclosing of the feed pipe 10.

Of course, any desired form of pressure controlledregulator, and anypreferred form of valve, and any preferred connection between theregulator or diaphragm and the valve, may be employed.

As will be understood, the feed pump 9, in its operation constantlydraws the water from the storage tank and discharges it within thecirculating pipes 5.

When, however, the operation of said pump feeds water to the circulatingpipes more rapidly than it is withdrawn therefrom by the consumers, thepressure in said circulating pipes increases, and suchincreasedpressure, acting upon the diaphragm 13, closes the valve and shuts offthe supply to the said circulating pipes.

Manifestly, therefore, the pressure in the circulating pipes will neverexceed a predetermined fixed limit.

The feed pump 9, similarly to the circulating pump and the refrigeratorcircuit pump, whereof hereinafter, is of a conventional form, having apiston head and rod, to which rod is connected a link engaged with acrank ona crank shaft 20,operated by a motor 21,the arrangement beingsuch that the one crank shaft is common to all three of the pumps.

Of course, any preferred form of pump may be employed in lieu of theform illustrated in the drawings.

I provide special means for inducing a circulation of the waterthroughout the circulating pipes, such means consisting, in the form ofapparatus shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, of a circulating pump 22,in communication, through branch pipes 23 and 24, with the circulatingpipes 5.

The circulating pump in its operation occasions a constant circulationof the water in the circulating pipes.

When the circulating pump is in operation the cook 25 is closed, and thecooks 26 27 IIO open, this being the normal set of the cooks referredto.

The cooling coil 7 which is in circuit with the circulating pipes 5, isdesigned to be artificially cooled by a cooling agent brought intocontact With it, with the object of cooling the water which exists in,and passes through the circulating pipes 5, and to such end, the casingor boxing in which the coil 7 is contained is preferablysupplied with aliquid refrigerating agen t, of any preferred character. t

The coil 7 and boxing 8 constitute a temperature changer.

I prefer to employ as the refrigerating agent, brine, from a brine vatcirculated through said boxing and in contact with the coil 7.

28 is a brine tank and 29 is a refrigerator circuit or brine pump. 30isapipe leading from the temperature changer boxing to the brine tank. 31is a pipe leading from the brine tank to the brine pump, and 32 is apipe leading from the brine pump to the temperature changer boxing.valve mounted in the pipe 31.

The brine tank and the pipes connective of said tank and the temperaturechanger boxing, together with the appliances associated with said pipes,I generically term the refrigcrating circuit.

The brine tank and the temperature changer boxing and the pipesconnective thereof,are normally full of brine, maintained in circulationby the operation of the pump 29, so that a continuous flow of fluid fromthe tank 28 is, in the passage of the water through the pipes of therefrigerating circuit, forced into the presence of the cooling coil 7 ofthe circulating pipes, with the result that the water in the circulatingpipes is main tained at a low temperature.

The valve 33 is provided with a stem 34: projecting through the body ofthe pipe in which said valve is mounted, and connected to a weightedvalve lever 35 pivotally connected to a supporting arm 36.

37 is a core, connected to the lever 35, mounted in the hollow interiorof a solenoid 38, in electric circuit with a battery 39 and a thermostatL0.

The thermostat 40 is in position to be affected by the water of thecirculating pipes 5, and the respective ends of the electricalconductors in circuit with the battery and so: lenoid are in saidthermostat provided with terminals of a very sensitive character whichin the alteration of their condition of electrical contact underexpansion and contraction due to the alteration of the temperature ofthe water, open or close the electric circuit, with the result that theposition of the core 37 with relation to the solenoid 38 iscorrespondingly altered, occasioning through the lever 35 acorresponding movement of the valve The thermostat 40 consists of astructure having a double wall with the result that two 33 (see Figure3) is a chambers are formed, one within the inner wall, being a closedterminal chamber, and the other an annular water chamber between theinner and outer walls, into which water chamber the adjacent ends of thecirculating .pipe open.

The water discharged into said water chamber circulates past and incontact with the wall of the terminal chamber, but without access to theinterior thereof.

The acting parts of the thermostat are accordingly maintainetlinadrycondition under all circu instances, but at the same time owing to thecontact of the water with the wall of the terminal chamber the actingparts of the thermostat are in a position to be very readily affected bythe changes in temperature of the water.

Assuming that as the water in the circulating pipes 5, becomes slightlywarmer than desired, the terminals in the thermostat expand and approacheach other, energize the solenoid, and attract its core, overcoming theweight on the lever 35,-it will be seen that the result of thisoperation will be to tilt said lever 35 and open the valve 33.

Thereupon the liquid in the refrigerating circuit is free to circulateunder the actuation of the pump 29, which is, in the form of myapparatus illustrated, supposed in constant operation.

As soon as, by the circulation of the liquid in the refrigeratingcircuit, the liquid in the circulating pipes has been cooled to thedesired degree, the separation of the terminals in the thermostatinterrupts the current in the solenoid, and consequently the leverconnected to the core of the solenoid, under the stress of its weight,moves in the direction which closes the valve 33 and stops thecirculation in the refrigerating circuit.

Any desired form of thermostat, various forms of which are well known inthe art, may be employed in this connection.

The pipes embraced in the apparatus illustrated in the drawings are tobe provided with manually operated valves disposed wherever they may befound useful.

It will thus be seen that so soon as the water in the circulating pipesexceeds the highest temperature the parts are set to allow, the valve ofthe refrigerating circuit is opened, and the pump 29 circulates the coldliquid through the refrigerating circuit pipes and into contact with thecooling cylinder 7 of the circulating pipes 5.

As soon as the water in the circulating pipes 5 has been sufficientlycooled the thermostat, operated by the change of temperature, 00-casions, through the means described, the closing movement of the valve3%.

As will be understood, the weight on the lever 35 tends to maintain thevalve normally closed, and the energizing of the solenoid tends to throwsaid valve open.

Having tints described my invention, I claim 1. A water supplyinstallation for buildings, including, in combination, a series of pipesconstituting a circulation pipe system, and provided with a series ofspigots or outlets, means for maintaining the pipes constantly full ofwater, means for occasioning the repeated circulation of the waterthrough the circulation pipe system, and a cooling agent so arrangedwith reference to a portion of the circulation pipe system that watercirculated through the latter is caused to come repeatedly within theinfluence of said cooling agent, substantially as set forth.

2. A Water supply installation for buildings, including, in combination,a series of pipes constituting a circulation pipe system, a valvecontrolled feed pipe or port opening thereinto, means for occasioningthe repeated circulation of the water through the circulation pipesystem, and a cooling agent, so arranged with reference to a portion ofthe circulation pipe system that the Water circulated through the latteris caused to come repeatedly within the influence of said cooling agent,substantially as set forth.

3. In a water supply system, in combina tion, a series of connectedpipes which form a circulation system through which water suppliedthereto may repeatedly circulate,a feed pipe, a pump in circuit withsaid feed pipe, a circulation pump in circuit with said circulationsystem, a refrigerating circuit, the liquid in which cools the liquid inthe circulation system, and a pump operative in connection with saidrefrigerating circuit, substantially as set forth.

at. In a water supply installation for a building, in combination, aseries of pipes constituting a house circulation system or circuitthrough which water supplied thereto may continuously circulate, faucetsor outlets connected to pipes of the system for drawing off water asrequired, means for supplying water to such house system or circuit andmaintaining the water in such system or circuit at a regulationpressure, and mechanical means for occasioning the circulation, throughsuch system or circuit, of the water supplied thereto, substantially asset forth.

5. In a water supply installation for a building, in combination, aseries of pipes constituting a house circulation system or circuitthrough which Water supplied thereto may repeatedly circulate, faucetsor outlets connected to pipes of the system for drawing off water asrequired, means for supplying water to such house system or circuit andmaintaining the water in such system or circuit at a regulated pressure,and a refrigerating agent or medium which cools the water within thepipes of the system, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus for supplying water, under constant pressure, to abuilding, a system of circulating pipes mounted in said building, a feedpipe in communication with a source of supply and leading to said systemof cir culation pipes, a valve controlling said feed pipe, a casing, adiaphragm mounted in said casing and constituting one wall of a pressurechamber, mechanism connective of said diaphragm and said valve, apressure pipe leading from the system of circulation pipes, to thepressure chamber, and a pump in communication with the feed pipe at apoint between the valve and the system of circulation pipes,substantially as set forth.

7. In an apparatus for supplying water to occupants of a building, incombination, a series of pipes connected together and composing anormally closed circulation pipe system, a series of faucets connectedto said pipes, a feed pipe adapted to supply water to the pipes of saidcirculation pipe system, means for automatically closing said feed pipewhen the pressure in the circulation pipe system reaches a givenstrength, a circulation pump the action of which occasions the repeatedcirculation of the water through the pipes of the system, and arefrigerating or cooling agent under the influence of which the water isbrought in its circulation, substantially as set forth.

8. In an apparatus for supplyingwater, in combination,a circulation pipesystem, means for supplying water thereto, a refrigerating circuit,provided with means for occasioning the circulation of refrigeratingfluid therethrough, and means controlled by the temperature of the waterin the circulation pipe system for controlling the operation of therefrigerating circuit, substantially as set forth.

9. In an apparatus for supplying Water to a building, a normally closedsystem of pipes constituting a circulation pipe system, a series offaucets connected therewith, a refrigerating circuit so arranged thattherefrigerating material is brought into the presence of thecirculation pipe system, a valve mounted in a pipe of the refrigeratingcircuit, a device sensitive to differences in temperatu re,mounted inthe circulation pipe system, and operative appliances connective of saidsensitive device and the valve in the refrigerating circuit,substantially as set forth.

10. In an apparatus for supplying water to buildings, a series of pipesconstituting a circulation pipe system, a series of pipes connectedtogether and constituting a refrigerating circuit, a temperatureexchanger common to the circulation pipe system and the refrigeratingcircuit, a thermostat mounted in communication with the circulation pipesystem, a Valve mounted in the refrigerating circuit, a solenoid, havinga core movable and controlled by the current in said solenoid, aconnection between said core and said valve, and a batteryin circuitwith said thermostat and said core,substantially as set forth.

11. In an apparatus for supplying water to buildings, in combination, aseries of pipes forming a circulation pipe system, a series of faucetsconnected to the pipes of said system, means for supplying water to saidpipes,

meansfor occasioning the circulation of the water through said pipes, acoil, formed as a part of the system, a boxing for said coil, athermostat in communication with said circulationpipe system, a tank ofrefrigerant, a pipe leading from said boxing to said tank, a pipeleading from the tank to the boxing, a force pump in circuit with saidlast mentioned pipe, a valve mounted in said last mentioned pipe betweenthe tank and the force pump,

electrically operated mechanism which controls said valve, and abattery, line wires from which are in circuit with said electricallyoperated mechanism and said thermostat, substantially as set forth.

12 In an apparatus for supplying water to a building, a series of pipesconstituting a circulation pipe system, a feed pipe for supplying waterthereto, a valve mounted in said pipe, a device controlled by thepressure in the circulation pipe system which operates said valve whenthe pressure in the circulation system reaches a given strength, arefrigerating circuit the liquid of which is brought into the presenceof a portion of a pipe of the circulation pipe system, a valve mountedin a pipe of the refrigerating circuit, a thermostat mounted incommunication with a pipe of the circulating pipe system, electricalconnections through which the movements of parts of the thermostatoccasion corresponding movements of the valve in the refrigeratingcircuit, a force pump in communication with the feed pipe, and a forcepump in com- 1n n nication with the refrigerati ngcircuit,sulostantially as set forth.

13. In an apparatus for supplying water to a building, a series of pipesconstituting a circulation pipe system, a feed pipe for supplying waterthereto, a valve mounted in said pipe, a device controlled by thepressure in the circulation pipe system which operates said valve whenthe pressure in the circulating system reaches a given strength, arefrigerating circuit the liquid of which is brought into the presenceof a portion of a pipe of the circulation pipe system, a valve mountedin a pipe of the refrigerating circuit, a thermostat mounted incommunication with a pipe of the circulating pipe system, electricalconnections through which the movements of parts of the thermostatoccasion corresponding movements of the valve in the refrigeratingcircuit, a force pump in communication with the feed pipe, and a forcepump in communication with the refrigerating circuit, and a circulatingpump in communication with the circulation pipe system, substantially asset forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereuntosigned my name this 17th day of February, A. D. 1900.

JONATHAN H. VAIL.

In presence of F. NORMAN DIXON, THOS. K. LANCASTER.

